By Emmanuel Chinedu
Rivers United began their quest for a league title after they secured a 2-0 home victory over Plateau United to open the 2026/27 EuroMatch Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) campaign. The game was played on Sunday at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.
The Finidi George side, who finished runners-up to Rangers last season, made a quick start when Abdulrasheed Dabai struck home a delightful finish inside six minutes, through an assist by Chijioke Mbaoma to put them 1-0 ahead.
Former Crown midfielder, Wasiu Falolu doubled their lead to 2-0 after he received a through ball from Ebuka Akubondu in the 38th minute. They went into the halftime break with a 2-0 lead.
In the second half, the Visitors tried to press hard for a goal, but the Rivers United defence line stood firm to defend their backline in numbers as they secured their first win of the season in front of their supporters in Port Harcourt.
In Abeokuta, it wasn’t the start that the league champions, Rangers, were expected after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Visitors, Katsina United, at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena.
Dadong Lewis gave the visitors a surprising lead after he ran off from Rangers’ defence line to slot it past the goalkeeper in the 35th minute. But the Fidelis Ilechukwu-led side kept fighting as they got a late equaliser in the final eight minutes of the game to secure a point.
